Film & TV2 min(s) read
Published 18:22 10 Jan 2022 GMT
Michaela Jaé "Mj" Rodriguez made history last night, becoming the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe for her performance in Pose.
Rodriguez, 31, was awarded the prize for Best Actress in a TV Drama at the low-key ceremony in Los Angeles.
The actor is certainly no stranger to breaking barriers. Over the summer, she became the first transgender performer to be nominated for a leading actor Emmy.
Although she didn't claim that prize, a very deserving Rodriguez was victorious last night. She took to social media to celebrate her win, delivering an acceptance speech over Instagram live.
Overcome with emotion, the actor first thanked the Golden Globes for her win before going on to say that it would open doors for many others.
She said: "This is for the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian [communities], the many multi beautiful colors of the rainbow around the world. This is not just for me, this is for y'all. This is the door that opens for y'all."
There are going to be so many young individuals - talented, thriving individuals - that are going to be able to storm in through the door. This is for y'all."
She went on to thank her family and everyone who had worked on Pose, saying: "I am very thankful to the many beautiful people that came together with this show."
In an Instagram post, Rodriguez also shouted out her fellow nominees Uzo Aduba (In Treatment), Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Christine Baranski (The Good Fight), and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaids Tails).
"To the nominees we are Queens. I’m so happy to share space with you! Each and every last one of you women are phenomenal," she wrote.
The New Jersey native plays house mother and nurse Blanca on the FX show Pose. Created by Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, and Ryan Murphy, the series first premiered in 2018, with the final episode airing last year.
Rodriguez's win marks Pose's first Golden Globe, as well as a historic moment for the awards ceremony which has come under fire for its lack of diversity in recent months.
Allegations of corruption and an undiverse voting board led to the usually glitzy event being scaled back after A-listers and networks pulled out.
The ceremony was held in The Beverly Hilton Hotel with no red carpet or live coverage, and awards were announced over social media.
